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Fall Forum 2020: Better Health, Stronger Democracy explored how health funders are promoting civic engagement, protecting voter rights, and engaging in post-census electoral redistricting.
Sessions:
- Post-Census Redistricting: Ensuring Fair Representation
Monday, November 16, 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET
The redistricting process that takes place after each decennial census has profound implications for the fairness of representational democracy, determining electoral districts for most federal legislators, all state legislators, and many local legislators. With the quality and accuracy of the 2020 census in question and procedures for apportionment under debate, this redistricting cycle promises to be particularly controversial. This session will describe redistricting activities and timelines, examine existing and emerging threats to fair representation, and explore how philanthropic organizations can best inform and influence redistricting decisions to support historically underrepresented communities.
- Promoting Voter Engagement and Protecting Voter Rights
Thursday, November 19, 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has recently focused public attention on access to the ballot, people of color have faced systemic barriers to voting since our nation’s founding. Political disenfranchisement results in a loss of power—the power to elect representatives with shared values and the power to advance policy priorities, such as investments in education, criminal justice reform, safe and affordable housing, and access to health care. This session will review effective strategies for increasing voter participation through integrated voter engagement, policy advocacy, and litigation; consider philanthropic trends in support for these activities; and explore the role of health funders in the civic engagement ecosystem.
- Advancing Health through Civic Engagement: Health Funders Weigh In
Friday, November 20, 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET
Civic engagement activities, such as voting, volunteering, and community organizing, are essential to the health of our democracy and a growing evidence base suggests these activities may also influence the health of individuals and communities. Health funders are increasingly recognizing that investments in civic engagement are necessary to advance population health goals related to health equity, access to care, and the social determinants of health. This facilitated discussion with health funders who have committed resources to civic engagement efforts will explore why and how they have pursued these strategies, review the processes used to make and monitor these funding decisions, and consider the key lessons learned along the way.
Download slides and view the session recordings online:
Registration
- GIH Funding Partners: Free
- Non-Funding Partners: $150